Cruz Azul suffered a home defeat against Querétaro as the 2023 Apertura campaign grows tougher to chase for the Cementeros. The match added another tough chapter to a season that has not lived up to hopes, with fans feeling the gap between the chasing pack and the goalposts they aim to reach.
As the Opening 2023 schedule rolled on, the two teams faced off in the ninth round at the Aztec Stadium. Cruz Azul arrived following a 2-2 draw with Mazatlán, while Querétaro came into the game after a 2-1 defeat against América. The clash was billed as a test of character for both sides as they navigated early-season pressure and the need to secure crucial points in a tightly contested table.
Cruz Azul ventured ahead just before the break thanks to a precise finish from Carlos Rotondi. The first half showed glimpses of the level the team aspires to reach, but the second half brought a different story. The home side could not maintain the lead, and Querétaro turned up the tempo, turning the game around to win 3-1. The result underscored the struggles the team has faced this semester and the slow start that has hampered their ambitions in the standings.
With nine games completed, Cruz Azul sits on a modest tally, a number far from where they want to be as the season moves forward. The path to climbing the table remains a challenge, and the early-phase results have added pressure on the squad, coaching staff, and supporters who seek upward momentum in the competition.
In this overview we break down the key moments, tactical approaches, and emerging trends from the Cruz Azul vs Querétaro encounter, offering a minute by minute sense of how the match unfolded and what it means for both clubs moving forward.
CRUZ AZUL VS QUERÉTARO: MINUTE BY MINUTE
HOW TO WATCH ON TV AND ONLINE
The game is available to watch on Vix Premium, a streaming option that supports devices running iOS and Android. Viewers in Canada and the United States can access the match through the service, ensuring fans can follow the action live from multiple platforms.
ALIGNMENTS
BLUE CROSS
Gudino; Escobar, Salcedo, Ditta; Lira, Rodríguez, Rivero, Rotondi; Antuna Vieira and Cambindo.
THE OTHER SIDE
Allison; Mendoza, Gularte, Barbieri, Sandoval; Escamilla, Letora, Gómez, Barrera; Zúñiga and Ayón.
REVIEW
The match delivered a mix of controlled build-up and moments of urgency from both teams. Cruz Azul started with intent, producing the first goal and looking capable of dictating the tempo in the opening half. Yet the balance shifted after the break, as Querétaro recalibrated and exposed gaps in the home side’s structure. The visitors capitalized on opportunities, applying pressure that translated into goals and ultimately swung the result in their favor.
From a tactical perspective, the game highlighted the importance of mid-game adjustments and quick transitions. The home team found success when pressing high and sustaining tempo, but the decision-making in the final third and the ability to close spaces defensively proved decisive for Querétaro. The half-time change of momentum underscored how small shifts in focus can alter the narrative of a match.
For Cruz Azul, the takeaway centers on consistency and resilience. A late equalizer was not enough to reset the momentum, and the team now faces a period where strategic patience and precise execution will be critical to stabilizing results. For Querétaro, the win provides a confidence boost and a blueprint to build on as the campaign progresses, signaling that they can compete with the league’s tougher adversaries when things click in attack and defense alike.
Both clubs remain intent on maximizing opportunities in the short term while navigating the long road of the season. As the Apertura moves forward, supporters will be watching how each side adapts, learns from experiences, and translates lessons into performances that can lift them up the standings.